Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read More“Does chocolate milk come from brown cows?” I get a chuckle when kids ask that. But when 16 million adult Americans believe that’s true? Not so funny.
A Washington Post story that examined that apparently common misperception says many Americans are “agriculturally illiterate.” The article concludes that being ill-informed about food and farming has consequences — we may not eat well and we may not vote wisely.
I’m not the best person to advise you on your diet, but I do know a bit about public policy. I’m convinced that voters are unknowingly, intentionally exposed to “facts” about agriculture that simply aren’t true.
Corporations control farming. International trade hurts our economy. Farm subsidies drain the federal budget. All common allegations. All unfactual. The infographics below tell the real story. The American Farm Bureau has a lot more facts about food and farming. Two other great sources are fooddialogues.com or bestfoodfacts.org. A little time on these sites will provide some fresh perspective on food topics that matter.
Granted, it’s not really a big deal if some of us correlate milk flavor to cow color. But it is a big deal if you believe that agriculture is corporate, trade is bad and farmers live on the public dole. It’s a big deal if you think farmers regularly harm the environment, hurt their animals or grow terrible food. These topics affect your family, your community and your wallet. And bad information can lead to bad decisions when you vote.
That bad information isn’t out there by accident. People who don’t like the way farmers farm aren’t bashful about spreading their version of the “facts.” I ask only that you consider what farmers have to say, too.
Oh, by the way: it’s fresh, wholesome milk with cocoa and sugar. It’s great. And that’s a fact.
In 2016, $135.5 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the globe. The top five customers accounted for 61 percent of all exports.
Canada and Mexico are two of the United States’ largest trading partners. Together, they account for $38.4 billion of U.S. agricultural exports.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreFarm Credit Mid-America has committed $250,000 over the next five years to support the grant and help it achieve its vision.
Read MoreFourteen farmers and agribusiness professionals from around Ohio recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class XIV.
Read MoreWith this action, the agricultural organizations are rising to the defense of Ohio farmers, who have long been a legal target of the ELPC, an anti-agriculture activist group.
Read MoreShelby Rhodes of Augusta has been named operations coordinator for Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals and AgriPOWER Class XIV embraced the fast-paced culture of our nation’s capital for an extensive leadership experience Sept. 10-12.
Read MoreThe committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by delegates during the state annual meeting.
Read MoreIf you’re interested in exploring manure digesters for your farm, talk to an Ohio State University Extension specialist familiar with the systems.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau is featuring innovative agricultural technology solutions and cutting-edge research at this year’s Farm Science Review Sept. 17-19.
Read MoreThe 14th annual Cultivating a Cure, an event created to support cancer treatment and prevention research, welcomed nearly 350 attendees and raised an event record-breaking $156,485.
Read More